Gators get their guy at running back in Adarius Lemons

Bob Redman

07/24/2016

There has been little doubt who the main target for the Florida Gators at running back has been for the 2017 class for a couple of months now. Clearwater High School 4-star baller Adarius Lemons decided to change his commitment from North Carolina to Florida Sunday as the gators look to improve on an already promising recruiting class.

Adarius Lemons committed to the Tarheels on March 25 and spurned several schools that were hard after him, including the Gators. But Florida stayed persistent.

The Gators fought off numerous recruiting tactics to finally get through to the big time back until he finally decided to show for Friday Night Lights this weekend.

Lemons was a star during the session and certainly drew the attention of the coaching staff, the fans, and several other commitments in the 2017 Gator recruiting class.

The 4-star and number 19 ranked running back in the country is the only back the Gators will pursue this cycle and they are certainly happy they got their guy.

In the end, the flip from North Carolina was one he felt he had to make.

"I believe it was the best decision I made for me and my family," Lemons told Scout's Corey Bender. "They're just happy I'm doing something productive with myself.

"Everything (was appealing about Florida). I'm close to home."

Scout’s Analysis of Lemons: “When watching Lemons run, you see a track guy playing football. He plays fast. Straight-line speed is his biggest strength. He accelerates well to the perimeter or up the middle and when he gets to the second level, he is tough to catch. Looks more like a finesse guy on the hoof, but plays violent and will run through defenders at any time. Can secure the ball better and he needs to run with better pad level, but he has real upside.”